Article 13 – Paid and Unpaid Leave of Absence

Residents shall, upon commencement of training/employment, be credited with fifteen (15) days sick leave. In the second (2nd) and subsequent consecutive year(s) of training/employment, sick leave shall be earned and credited at the rate of one and one-quarter (1¼) days per month of training/employment cumulative over the length of training/employment.

A Resident who is appointed for a term of less than one (1) year shall receive a pro-rata Sick Leave credit upon commencement based on the one and one-quarter (1¼) days per month of appointment.

A Resident shall provide evidence of such illness or disability as reasonably required by the Program Director. Residents shall notify the Program Director or the Program Director’s office when absent due to illness.

Compassionate leave with pay shall be granted to a maximum of three (3) days to attend to arrangements upon the death or serious illness where death is imminent of a spouse, common law partner, fiancé/fiancée, father, mother, child, brother, sister, mother or father-in-law, grandparent, legal guardian, or legal ward. An additional two (2) days with pay may be granted by the Program Director for travel purposes. Compassionate leave for instances not listed above, will be at the discretion of the Program Director. Leaves will not be unreasonably denied.

13.3.1 Maternity/Parental Leave

Maternity/Parental leave shall be provided pursuant to The Saskatchewan Employment Act. The first five (5) days of a parental leave shall be with pay, provided that they are taken on consecutive week days within thirty (30) days of the date of birth or adoption. Written application for Maternity/Parental Leave must be submitted to the Resident’s Program Director as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event not less than four (4) weeks prior to the planned start date of such leave.

If the condition of a pregnant Resident so justifies, that Resident shall, upon submission of a medical certificate signed by a medical doctor have duties amended to meet the medical requirements. On call and night shifts will cease at 28 weeks of gestation unless the employee provides a medical note allowing them to continue with those duties. The inability to do call shall not be used to justify a demand that the employee cease work.

13.3.2 Supplementary Employment Insurance Benefit

Residents granted Maternity Leave will receive the difference between the Employment Insurance (EI) benefit they receive relative to their pregnancy and 90% of their regular salary during the EI benefit period as a supplement. It is agreed that in such circumstances, the Resident’s total earnings (all sources) cannot exceed 95% of pre- maternity earnings. Regular weekly earnings for purposes of administration of this clause will be determined by dividing the Resident’s annual pay rate in effect on the last day worked prior to commencement of the leave by 52.14. The Employer’s obligation for payment of this supplement shall not extend beyond the period of the contracted appointment if the Resident has completed her requirements as set out by the relevant accrediting body.

Accumulated sick and vacation leave as of the date Maternity/Parental leave commences shall be retained but will not accumulate during the period of Maternity/Parental leave.

Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance shall be continued as was the case prior to this leave subject to any conditions set by the underwriters.

Dental, Extended Health Insurance, and optional Life and Disability Insurances, may be maintained provided the Resident pays all required premiums during the unpaid portion of this leave. The University will notify Residents of the options and costs of continuing benefits during a Maternity/Parental leave.

Residents shall be entitled to paid leave to attend educational events at their discretion, which are relevant to their academic program, recommended by their Program Director and approved by the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education. The leave available shall be a minimum of seven (7) and a maximum of twelve (12) regular weekdays per academic year inclusive of travel time and shall not accumulate from year to year. Weekends do not require the use of education leave days, as they are not regular workdays. College mandated education or training is considered part of the residency program and therefore does not require the use of education leave.

Residents approved for Education Leave shall be expected to provide a report on their educational activity to their colleagues and Program Director.

A Resident shall receive paid leave to sit the following examinations:

• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I (MCCQEI)
• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part II (MCCQEII)
• Surgical Foundations Exam
• College of Family Physicians of Canada certification
• Royal College of Canada certification

The period of paid leave shall comprise the following: the day prior to outbound travel, the day of outbound travel, one (1) or two (2) days as required to attend the actual examination, and one (1) day for return travel. When travel is not required, the period of paid leave shall comprise of the day prior to the exam, and one (1) or two (2) days as required to attend the actual examination.

Leave of absence for any other certification examinations will be granted at the discretion of the Program Director and consistent with the above considerations as to duration.

Residents will not be scheduled on call three (3) weeks prior to each of their written and oral components of their Royal College Subspecialty Exam or College of Family Physician Exam. The remaining week of the twenty-eight (28) day rotation will not incur additional on call as a result.

Leave for any reason specified in Articles 13.1 to 13.5 inclusive shall not be deducted from regular vacation entitlement.

Residents shall be entitled to a minimum of thirty-six (36) consecutive hours leave immediately prior to the commencement of a training program, elective, or fellowship which requires a move from one (1) location to another.

Upon request a resident may be granted leave with pay for up to two (2) days in any academic year. This leave is intended for situations that need to be attended to but may or may not normally be scheduled in advance. In emergent situations, the Resident will inform their supervisor as soon as possible regarding the need to take such a leave. In non-emergent situations, the Resident shall consult in advance with their Program Director. Requests may be denied for operational reasons.